Voting is entering its final days for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s (ABI) 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition, with the public invited to help determine this year’s winner before polls close May 15. The contest is now in its third year, highlights Iowa-manufactured products, and promotes careers in the state’s manufacturing industry. Four products remain in the competition’s final round, including the Pella Steady Set Windows, which are produced at many of Pella Corporation’s facilities, including the Carroll Operation. The other finalists are the Ironclad Tornado Shelter & Gun Safe, manufactured in Earlham; the Mi-T-M ePowerStation from Peosta; and the Weiler D1075 Blasthole Drill produced in Knoxville. Voters may cast one vote per device every 24 hours through midnight May 15 at coolestthingia.com. The winner will be announced on June 3 during the Taking Care of Business Conference in Coralville. Manufacturing employs more than 217,000 people in Iowa and contributes more than $35 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to organizers.
